If you asked anyone in Night Vale what their favorite thing about the strange little tow they called home was, some would say they liked Big Rico's pizzeria the best. Others would say the Moonlight All Nite Diner. A few might answer with a monotone "The Glow Cloud is everything. All hail the Glow Cloud".
Most citizens, however, would say their favorite thing was listening to the daily broadcasts of Night Vale Community Radio. Particularly, they would stress, the show of local celebrity Cecil Palmer. It's informative, they would say. It's mandatory, other's would remind you. Although a majority would say they enjoyed it because they liked to hear Cecil's voice. It was soothing and calming in a world that was decidedly chaotic.
Ask anyone what segment they liked the most and they would invariably answer: "When he talks about Carlos the Scientist. It's sooo adorable! He loves him so much and they would be so cute together. I don't know why Carlos is dragging his feet on this because they're perfect for each other. One time, I was talking to my friend and she said. . . "
Then you would politely make your excuses and walk off, leaving them to finish their story for whatever Secret Police officer was in the nearby bushes.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Good night, Night Vale. Good night." Cecil pressed the button to turn his microphone off and pulled his headphones off. Tonight's broadcast had gone well. They hadn't even lost an intern and he had gotten to talk about Carlos! He had wanted the scientist to do an interview, but he had been very busy with Science. Oh well, Cecil thought. Next time.
Cecil gathered his notes, stacking them while he hummed the weather's chorus. He left the booth, locking it behind him. He gave Station Management's door a wide berth when he walked past it.
Finally he arrived at his office and all he had to do was file his notes away and he was done. A creak came from down the hall, where he had just come from. He glanced sown the hall and saw nothing. That didn't mean there wasn't anything there, of course.
"Hello? Is anyone there? If you’re a poltergeist, I have no time to play right now. Perhaps tomorrow."
Cecil turned to go into his office when he felt something slither around his ankle. He didn't even get to look down before he was enveloped by shadows and darkness overtook him.
